To join a live meeting, please email Brett Nachman (BrettRanonNachman@gmail.com) or join the CANVAS listserv to get detailed reminders about upcoming meetings.

March 22, 2024 – 12 p.m. EST

Presenters:

Chiara Latimer (Co-Director Center for Neurodiversity, PATH Program Coordinator, Rowan University); Dr. Amy Accardo (Co-Chair and Associate Professor, WISE Department, Rowan University); and Dr. Casey Woodfield (Assistant Professor, WISE Department; Faculty Fellow, Center for Neurodiversity, Rowan University)

Presentation Title:

Affirming Neurodiversity Culture on Campus: Priorities of Neurodivergent Students, Faculty and Staff

Presentation Description:

Through the lens of the neurodiversity paradigm and holding the understanding that neurodiversity is valuable to society, we gathered the perspectives and priorities of neurodivergent university students, faculty, and staff via a mixed method sequential two-phase study and a qualitative study on the impacts of neurodiversity affirming professional development certificates . Research questions included: What are the perspectives of neurodivergent students, faculty, and staff around neurodiversity culture on campus and what are recommendations for improvement?

April 26, 2024 – 1 p.m. EST

Presenter:

Mark Tapia, Ph.D. (Researcher)

Presentation Title:

Self-Advocacy at the University Level: Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Advocate for Their Needs

Presentation Description:

Research provides some evidence to support self-advocacy skills, but little has occurred to explore how best to teach these skills at the postsecondary level. To that end, there is a positive model that emphasizes the unique needs of persons with autism, and it is the video model. Video modeling has a solid evidence base; however, studies involving video modeling for undergraduate students to advocate on college campuses are non-existent. The current study sought to explore how the use of video modeling, paired with a task analysis and role-play, impacted the ability of undergraduate students with ASD to use self-determination and self-advocacy skills in a university setting successfully

May 7, 2024 - 2 p.m. EST

Presenters:

Dr. Cindi May (Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston) and Dr. Christopher E. Whelpley (Assistant Professor of Management, Virginia Commonwealth University)

Presentation Title:

Biases in the Hiring Process for Job Candidates with Autism…and Solutions That Might Help Level the Playing Field

Presentation Description:

Our research demonstrates a clear bias against prospective employees with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the job interview process. This bias stems from differences in social style and interaction rather than the perceived competence or qualifications of candidates with ASD. We consider different approaches to addressing this bias, and recommend two steps for leveling the playing field for candidates with ASD. Our approach emphasizes educating employers rather than masking employees’ autistic traits.

2024

February

Gary McManus (Spectrum Support Program Specialist, Rochester Institute for Technology)How Autistic College Students Define Success

January

Lauren Baczewski, PhD (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Autism at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.) and Project Advisory Board MembersExploring the Mental Healthcare Experiences of Autistic LGBTQIA+ Young Adults: Colleges as Facilitators to Care & Community.

2023

November

Sandra Thom-Jones (Consultant, Autistic Professor) – Is Academic a Good Career for Autistics?

October

Dr. Leslie Ann Bross (Assistant Professor of Special Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte)Effects of a Peer Coaching Intervention for Young Adults with Autism on a College Campus

September

Seri Shevchuk-Hill (Graduate Student, College of Staten Island, CUNY), Dr. Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (Associate Professor, College of Staten Island and the Graduate Center, CUNY), and Bella Kofner (Teacher, College of Staten Island, CUNY) – Insights from Emerging Research on the Narrative Writing of Autistic Students

August

Dr. Carolyn O’Laughlin (Adjunct Instructor, Saint Louis University – Acts of Resilience and Resistance: Persistence by Autistic College Students

June

Dr. Azadeh Bolhari (Associate Teaching Professor and Associate Director for Undergraduate Education of Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Colorado Boulder) – Exploring Innovation Self-Efficacy in Neurodiverse Engineering Students

May

Dr. Morgan Strimel (Research Assistant, George Mason University), Dr. Grace Francis (Associate Professor, George Mason University, Dr. Jodi Duke, (Associate Professor & Academic Program Coordinator, George Mason University) – Looking at the Whole Student:” Identities and the Higher Education Accommodation

April

Kathy Szechy (LMSW, PhD Candidate, Wayne State University School of Social Work) – Autism, Adulthood and Employment Challenges: The Double Empathy Problem and Perceptions of an Autistic Employee in the Workplace

March

Helen Rottier (Doctoral Student, University of Chicago at Illinois); Dr. Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (Associate Professor, College of Staten Island), Dr. Jonathan Vincent (Lecturer, Lancaster University), and Dr. Theo Bakker (Professor, The Hague University of Applied Science; Researcher, Vrije Universiteit) CANVAS 5th Anniversary Panel: The State of Research on Autism in Higher Education

February

Elinor Lim (PhD Student, University of Portsmouth)Supporting autistic university students: Perspectives of autistic students and disability support staff

January

Kayden Stockwell (Ph.D. Student, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia) “I just had to figure out what I was doing and hope I was correct”: Autistic young adults navigate higher education

2022

November

Aylin Ulker, OTD, OTR/L & Tom Beeson, EdS (Clemson University) Sensory Inclusion in Higher Education: Neurodiverse and Neurotypical Experiences and Perspectives

October

Brian Irvine (University of Birmingham)Framing and Reframing: Specialist (Autism) Mentoring in UK HEIs

September

Drs. Brett Nachman (University of Arkansas) & Brad Cox (Florida State University) Launching Project PEACES: A National Survey of Autistic College Student Success

August

Dr. Amber Meyers (Tarrant County College) People Matter: Recruiting Autistic High School Students into Dual Credit Classes

July

Dr. Theo C. Bakker (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) – Study Progression and Success of Autistic Students in Higher Education, A Longitudinal, Propensity Score-Weighted Population Study

May

Brett Nachman, Ph.D. (Director of Research, College Autism Network; Post-Doctoral Research Scholar, North Carolina State University) –Translating Passion to Professional Pathways: Supporting Autistic Community College Students’ Career Aspirations

April

Dr. Brittany L. Jackson (Online Learning Manager, Hiram College, Director of Training and Technology, College Autism Network) – Postsecondary Social Support Programs for Students with ASD as Described by Students, Directors, and Staff

March

Dr. Jill Underhill (Associate Professor, Communication Studies & Director, Writing Across the Curriculum, Marshall University) and Victoria Ann Ledford (Doctoral Candidate, Communication Science and Social Cognition, University of Maryland) – Autistic Student Success in Public Speaking Courses

February

Dr. Sally Reis (Letitia Neag Morgan Chair in Educational Psychology, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor), Dr. Joseph Madaus (Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Director, Collaborative on Postsecondary Education and Disability), and Dr. Nicholas W. Gelbar (Associate Research Professor); all at the University of ConnecticutUnderstanding the Academic Success of Academically Talented Students with ASD

January

Helen Rottier (University of Illinois Chicago/Institute on Disability and Human Development) – Constellation Mentoring- Evaluating a Novel Approach to Support Autistic College Students

2021

November

Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzén (San Diego State University) – College SUCCESS

October

Dr. Hyejung Kim (Binghamton University) Korean American Autistic College Student’s Experience

September

Dr. TC Waisman (Doctor of Innovation at Autism Training Academy) – How higher education leaders, faculty, and staff can enhance services and outcomes for Autistic students

August

Dr. Jane McLeod (Associate Executive Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and Provost Professor of Sociology; Indiana University) – College and Beyond for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

July

Dr. Amelia Anderson (Assistant Professor of Library & Information Studies Darden College of Education and Professional Studies; Old Dominion University) – The Intersection of Libraries and Autism

May

Dr. Jess Monahan (Research Manager, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware), Cherie Fishbaugh (Director of Autism Services; West Chester University), & Laurie Ackles (Director, Spectrum Support Program; RIT) Understanding Autistic College Students’ Needs in the Times of COVID-19

April

Dr. Jess Monahan (Research Manager, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware) and Dr. Brian Freedman (Associate Director, Center for Students with Disabilities & Director, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware)Social Skills Interventions for Young Adults: Fitting into a Neurotypical World?

March

Dr. Craig Thompson (Curtin University) & Dr. Melissa Black (Curtin University) – Autistic Adults’ Success Factors for Employment and Beyond

February

Dr. Laura Graham Holmes (Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate; Boston University) & Dr. Emily Rothman (Professor, Community Health Sciences; Boston University) Using Formative Research to Develop HEARTS: A Healthy Relationships Promoting Intervention for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

January

Courtney Butler (Program Coordinator, College Support Program; Rutgers University) – An Individualized Approach to Teaching Adults with Autism to Successfully Navigate Job Interviews via Remote Instruction

2020

November

Cheryl Widman (University of Illinois at Chicago) – Understanding Parent Participation in the Postsecondary Education of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

October

Julie Lounds Taylor (Vanderbilt University) Serving as an editor of the Autism journal: “Pulling back the curtain: tips from the editorial desk.”

September

Jonathan Vincent (York St. John University) Transitions from higher education for autistic students and graduates: qualitative insights from the UK context

August

Eilidh Cage (University of Stirling) and Jack Howes (Autistic Writer and Fundraiser) Dropping out: Understanding the university experiences of autistic students who could not complete their studies

July

Alexandra Sturm (Loyola Marymount University) Academic and Psychosocial Characteristics of Incoming College Freshmen with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Comorbidity and Gender

May

Ryan A. Miller (University of North Carolina-Charlotte) – Emerging research on the experiences of autistic LGBTQ college students

April

Sean LaRoque (Mansfield Hall) –Measuring autistic college students’ journeys to adulthood using the Pathway to Independence Inventory: Development, results and lessons learned at Mansfield Hall – a residential college support program for students with learning differences

March

Jodi Duke and Grace Francis (George Mason University) – Research on autistic college students and co-occurring mental health disorder; discussions on the impact of needs and coping strategies

February

Amy Radochonski (College Living Experience) – “Crosswalks” between postsecondary education institutions and independent autism programs

January

Brad Cox (Florida State University | College Autism Network)

2019

November

Stephen Shore (Adelphi University)

October

Kimberly Ha (Organization for Autism Research)

September

Fred Volkmar (Yale University | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders)

August

Valérie Van Hees (Artevelde University College Ghent)

July

Anastasia Anderson (Macquarie University)

May

April

Sasha Zeedyk and Yasamine Bolourian (University of California-Riverside)

March

Jiedi Li (University of Bath)

February

Solvegi Shmulsky (Landmark College)

January

Theo Bakker (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

2018
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PRESENTERS

March 22, 2024 – 12 p.m. EST

Presenters:

Chiara Latimer (Co-Director Center for Neurodiversity, PATH Program Coordinator, Rowan University); Dr. Amy Accardo (Co-Chair and Associate Professor, WISE Department, Rowan University); and Dr. Casey Woodfield (Assistant Professor, WISE Department; Faculty Fellow, Center for Neurodiversity, Rowan University)

Presentation Title:

Affirming Neurodiversity Culture on Campus: Priorities of Neurodivergent Students, Faculty and Staff

Presentation Description:

Through the lens of the neurodiversity paradigm and holding the understanding that neurodiversity is valuable to society, we gathered the perspectives and priorities of neurodivergent university students, faculty, and staff via a mixed method sequential two-phase study and a qualitative study on the impacts of neurodiversity affirming professional development certificates . Research questions included: What are the perspectives of neurodivergent students, faculty, and staff around neurodiversity culture on campus and what are recommendations for improvement?

April 26, 2024 – 1 p.m. EST

Presenter:

Mark Tapia, Ph.D. (Researcher)

Presentation Title:

Self-Advocacy at the University Level: Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Advocate for Their Needs

Presentation Description:

Research provides some evidence to support self-advocacy skills, but little has occurred to explore how best to teach these skills at the postsecondary level. To that end, there is a positive model that emphasizes the unique needs of persons with autism, and it is the video model. Video modeling has a solid evidence base; however, studies involving video modeling for undergraduate students to advocate on college campuses are non-existent. The current study sought to explore how the use of video modeling, paired with a task analysis and role-play, impacted the ability of undergraduate students with ASD to use self-determination and self-advocacy skills in a university setting successfully

May 7, 2024 - 2 p.m. EST

Presenters:

Dr. Cindi May (Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston) and Dr. Christopher E. Whelpley (Assistant Professor of Management, Virginia Commonwealth University)

Presentation Title:

Biases in the Hiring Process for Job Candidates with Autism…and Solutions That Might Help Level the Playing Field

Presentation Description:

Our research demonstrates a clear bias against prospective employees with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the job interview process. This bias stems from differences in social style and interaction rather than the perceived competence or qualifications of candidates with ASD. We consider different approaches to addressing this bias, and recommend two steps for leveling the playing field for candidates with ASD. Our approach emphasizes educating employers rather than masking employees’ autistic traits.

PAST MEETING MINUTES & RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
2024

February

Gary McManus (Spectrum Support Program Specialist, Rochester Institute for Technology)How Autistic College Students Define Success

January

Lauren Baczewski, PhD (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Autism at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.) and Project Advisory Board MembersExploring the Mental Healthcare Experiences of Autistic LGBTQIA+ Young Adults: Colleges as Facilitators to Care & Community.

2023

November

Sandra Thom-Jones (Consultant, Autistic Professor) – Is Academic a Good Career for Autistics?

October

Dr. Leslie Ann Bross (Assistant Professor of Special Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte)Effects of a Peer Coaching Intervention for Young Adults with Autism on a College Campus

September

Seri Shevchuk-Hill (Graduate Student, College of Staten Island, CUNY), Dr. Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (Associate Professor, College of Staten Island and the Graduate Center, CUNY), and Bella Kofner (Teacher, College of Staten Island, CUNY) – Insights from Emerging Research on the Narrative Writing of Autistic Students

August

Dr. Carolyn O’Laughlin (Adjunct Instructor, Saint Louis University – Acts of Resilience and Resistance: Persistence by Autistic College Students

June

Dr. Azadeh Bolhari (Associate Teaching Professor and Associate Director for Undergraduate Education of Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Colorado Boulder) – Exploring Innovation Self-Efficacy in Neurodiverse Engineering Students

May

Dr. Morgan Strimel (Research Assistant, George Mason University), Dr. Grace Francis (Associate Professor, George Mason University, Dr. Jodi Duke, (Associate Professor & Academic Program Coordinator, George Mason University) – Looking at the Whole Student:” Identities and the Higher Education Accommodation

April

Kathy Szechy (LMSW, PhD Candidate, Wayne State University School of Social Work) – Autism, Adulthood and Employment Challenges: The Double Empathy Problem and Perceptions of an Autistic Employee in the Workplace

March

Helen Rottier (Doctoral Student, University of Chicago at Illinois); Dr. Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (Associate Professor, College of Staten Island), Dr. Jonathan Vincent (Lecturer, Lancaster University), and Dr. Theo Bakker (Professor, The Hague University of Applied Science; Researcher, Vrije Universiteit) CANVAS 5th Anniversary Panel: The State of Research on Autism in Higher Education

February

Elinor Lim (PhD Student, University of Portsmouth)Supporting autistic university students: Perspectives of autistic students and disability support staff

January

Kayden Stockwell (Ph.D. Student, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia) “I just had to figure out what I was doing and hope I was correct”: Autistic young adults navigate higher education

2022

November

Aylin Ulker, OTD, OTR/L & Tom Beeson, EdS (Clemson University) Sensory Inclusion in Higher Education: Neurodiverse and Neurotypical Experiences and Perspectives

October

Brian Irvine (University of Birmingham)Framing and Reframing: Specialist (Autism) Mentoring in UK HEIs

September

Drs. Brett Nachman (University of Arkansas) & Brad Cox (Florida State University) Launching Project PEACES: A National Survey of Autistic College Student Success

August

Dr. Amber Meyers (Tarrant County College) People Matter: Recruiting Autistic High School Students into Dual Credit Classes

July

Dr. Theo C. Bakker (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) – Study Progression and Success of Autistic Students in Higher Education, A Longitudinal, Propensity Score-Weighted Population Study

May

Brett Nachman, Ph.D. (Director of Research, College Autism Network; Post-Doctoral Research Scholar, North Carolina State University) –Translating Passion to Professional Pathways: Supporting Autistic Community College Students’ Career Aspirations

April

Dr. Brittany L. Jackson (Online Learning Manager, Hiram College, Director of Training and Technology, College Autism Network) – Postsecondary Social Support Programs for Students with ASD as Described by Students, Directors, and Staff

March

Dr. Jill Underhill (Associate Professor, Communication Studies & Director, Writing Across the Curriculum, Marshall University) and Victoria Ann Ledford (Doctoral Candidate, Communication Science and Social Cognition, University of Maryland) – Autistic Student Success in Public Speaking Courses

February

Dr. Sally Reis (Letitia Neag Morgan Chair in Educational Psychology, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor), Dr. Joseph Madaus (Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Director, Collaborative on Postsecondary Education and Disability), and Dr. Nicholas W. Gelbar (Associate Research Professor); all at the University of ConnecticutUnderstanding the Academic Success of Academically Talented Students with ASD

January

Helen Rottier (University of Illinois Chicago/Institute on Disability and Human Development) – Constellation Mentoring- Evaluating a Novel Approach to Support Autistic College Students

2021

November

Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzén (San Diego State University) – College SUCCESS

October

Dr. Hyejung Kim (Binghamton University) Korean American Autistic College Student’s Experience

September

Dr. TC Waisman (Doctor of Innovation at Autism Training Academy) – How higher education leaders, faculty, and staff can enhance services and outcomes for Autistic students

August

Dr. Jane McLeod (Associate Executive Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and Provost Professor of Sociology; Indiana University) – College and Beyond for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

July

Dr. Amelia Anderson (Assistant Professor of Library & Information Studies Darden College of Education and Professional Studies; Old Dominion University) – The Intersection of Libraries and Autism

May

Dr. Jess Monahan (Research Manager, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware), Cherie Fishbaugh (Director of Autism Services; West Chester University), & Laurie Ackles (Director, Spectrum Support Program; RIT) Understanding Autistic College Students’ Needs in the Times of COVID-19

April

Dr. Jess Monahan (Research Manager, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware) and Dr. Brian Freedman (Associate Director, Center for Students with Disabilities & Director, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware)Social Skills Interventions for Young Adults: Fitting into a Neurotypical World?

March

Dr. Craig Thompson (Curtin University) & Dr. Melissa Black (Curtin University) – Autistic Adults’ Success Factors for Employment and Beyond

February

Dr. Laura Graham Holmes (Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate; Boston University) & Dr. Emily Rothman (Professor, Community Health Sciences; Boston University) Using Formative Research to Develop HEARTS: A Healthy Relationships Promoting Intervention for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

January

Courtney Butler (Program Coordinator, College Support Program; Rutgers University) – An Individualized Approach to Teaching Adults with Autism to Successfully Navigate Job Interviews via Remote Instruction

2020

November

Cheryl Widman (University of Illinois at Chicago) – Understanding Parent Participation in the Postsecondary Education of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

October

Julie Lounds Taylor (Vanderbilt University) Serving as an editor of the Autism journal: “Pulling back the curtain: tips from the editorial desk.”

September

Jonathan Vincent (York St. John University) Transitions from higher education for autistic students and graduates: qualitative insights from the UK context

August

Eilidh Cage (University of Stirling) and Jack Howes (Autistic Writer and Fundraiser) Dropping out: Understanding the university experiences of autistic students who could not complete their studies

July

Alexandra Sturm (Loyola Marymount University) Academic and Psychosocial Characteristics of Incoming College Freshmen with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Comorbidity and Gender

May

Ryan A. Miller (University of North Carolina-Charlotte) – Emerging research on the experiences of autistic LGBTQ college students

April

Sean LaRoque (Mansfield Hall) –Measuring autistic college students’ journeys to adulthood using the Pathway to Independence Inventory: Development, results and lessons learned at Mansfield Hall – a residential college support program for students with learning differences

March

Jodi Duke and Grace Francis (George Mason University) – Research on autistic college students and co-occurring mental health disorder; discussions on the impact of needs and coping strategies

February

Amy Radochonski (College Living Experience) – “Crosswalks” between postsecondary education institutions and independent autism programs

January

Brad Cox (Florida State University | College Autism Network)

2019

November

Stephen Shore (Adelphi University)

October

Kimberly Ha (Organization for Autism Research)

September

Fred Volkmar (Yale University | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders)

August

Valérie Van Hees (Artevelde University College Ghent)

July

Anastasia Anderson (Macquarie University)

May

April

Sasha Zeedyk and Yasamine Bolourian (University of California-Riverside)

March

Jiedi Li (University of Bath)

February

Solvegi Shmulsky (Landmark College)

January

Theo Bakker (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

2018

WAYS TO BECOME INVOLVED

  1. Check out the minutes, presentations, and articles from previous monthly meetings (see links on this page).
  2. Click here to sign up for our autism/higher ed list serv (here where we share news articles, research, events, and other content related to college students with autism). Click “join group” to start receiving emails.
  3. Once you’ve joined the listserv, you can share articles, presentations, and other news by sending an email to: can-canvas@collegeautismnetwork.org
  4. Contact Brett Ranon Nachman (BrettRanonNachman@gmail.com) to get updates about upcoming CANVAS meetings.
  5. Visit our CANVAS Google Drive (here we share our meeting agendas, minutes, and other CANVAS content; you can even post a profile about yourself and your work)